Summer Curly Hair Tips

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I know Summer hasn't officially begun, but it's already heating up! Currently on my Instagram I'm hosting the #summerhairgoals challenge. I started it to remind us all that something quick and simple like scalp massages, can go along way in helping you reach your length goals.

@kellyrowland 

I realized that there is always a lot of talk about Winter hair care - but what about the Summer? We're at beaches, pools, theme parks, BBQ's, the list goes on and on. Summer can be a lot of fun! So fun that we may not even think about hair care. This may cause some setbacks if you aren't careful. 

This post is going to help you avoid those setbacks and keep up your healthy hair. I live in South Florida, so although it’s pretty warm year round, Summers here are on fire! Throughout the last couple of years, these tips have helped me avoid breakage as I enjoy my favorite Summer activities. 

Clarify your hair.

It’s hot, humid, maybe even windy, and we want our curls to stay in tact. We tend to pile on the moisturizers and use our heaviest gels on top. You don’t want to cowash after that. Before you restyle your hair, you want to strip all those products out, so you can put them back in. If your hair isn’t responding well to your favorite products - you may have product build up. Use a clarifying shampoo to fully cleanse your curls, then follow up with a deep conditioner to replenish moisture.

Don’t skip your strengthening or protein treatments.

You still need that protein-moisture balance. Your hair will be exposed to harsh weather conditions like I just mentioned above. It’s important to continue with these treatments to give your hair the strength it needs. Pay attention to your hair. If throughout the year you typically use protein every 6 weeks, but you notice in the summer you need it every 3 or 4, do it! I love my Ayurvedic treatments, but if I’m traveling, I will use a protein deep conditioner instead.

Protect your hair from the chlorine in pools.

Many years ago when my mother was in Cosmetology school, I remember learning that you should always wet your hair before you get in the pool. Even when I wasn’t natural - this is something I would do. The idea is that your hair will then absorb less chlorine. I don’t know much about the science behind this, but it has always made sense to me. There is always a shower right outside pools, so it’s convenient. Now that I’m back natural, I like to go the extra mile and protect my hair with a little deep conditioner and some oil. My favorite oil to use is this one. When you’re done swimming, see tip #1!

Protect your hair from UVA and UVB rays.

Depending on how hot it gets where you live, or where you will be vacationing to, these rays can damage your hair. Let’s say you’re going to a theme park and you know you’ll be out in the hot sun most of the day - wearing a hat is one option. You can wear a bun, or braid/twist your hair to get it to fit, and keeping your hair up will make the heat more manageable as well. If you don’t want to do this - heat protectants are another option. Shea butter has a small amount of SPF, or you can use a store bought heat protectant that you use before straightening your hair. 

Avoid humectants. 

This final tip comes from @texturelove16 on Instagram! In most states the weather will become more humid, more humidity means more moisture in the air. I was shocked to learn that this can lead to frizzier hair! Humectants are ingredients that attract moisture/water into your hair. In humidity, the air is full of moisture, so these humectants can cause moisture overload. (We can’t win, can we?)Too much moisture in the air being drawn into your hair can raise cuticles and cause tons amounts of frizz, loss of definition, and annoying tangles. Check out her post herefor some humectants to avoid and this video by MAD Curls with tons of glycerin- free (a popular humectant) products! 

That’s all for my Summer hair care tips. Do you think you’ll use any of them? I really hope they help! For the details to my #summerhaircare challenge, click here. 

Have an amazing Summer!

XO

Consy